The Ultimate Debate (Jazz vs. Classical)

SolomonsMarbles wrote: There's really not a debate here... music is not a competition.  Classical music is more of a mind-based genre, predominantly recorded by Whites, while Jazz is more of a feel, heart-based genre, predominantly recorded by Blacks.  I prefer Jazz, but it's merely a personal preference; either is capable of taking you to a transcendental, albeit completely unique musical world.

Not anymore, there are lots of white jazz players, especially in Europe. The most famous ones are black, but that's because they were first.

And implying that the differences in "mind" vs "heart" (which is a false dichotomy in the first place) are due to racial lines is a terrible idea.

I pick Jazz quite easily, however I love Classical music as well. My musical background is heavily rooted in classical training (classical guitar major, woo!). However, I have spent much time working on Jazz too, be it with a teacher, friends, or alone. To me Jazz is musical perfection. It sounds equally simple and complex at the same time. It can be enjoyed easily by anyone. The harmonic and melodic ideas that go on are incredibly appealing to me. Granted both styles of music share and borrow many characteristics from each other, but the forms used and ultimately playing style are the key ingredients. I like that swing. VERY MUCH. Be it Miles, Coltrane, Armstrong, Ornette, Mingus, Monk, etc. They all have something incredible to say and say it in the most incredible way. I also find it more enjoyable to listen to the works of Jazz artists because unlike Classical music you generally get to hear the actual composer playing his/her work. Where as, many of the big composers in the "classical" field died before recording was a possibility. Who better to interpret a work than the composer him/herself? I also find the looser attitude/feel of Jazz is more fitting to me. Classical music is often more rigid in sound and just impression (for me). I sound like I'm ragging on classical music, but I don't mean to. I love it very much. I practice my Tarrega, Giuliani, Villa-Lobos, Bach everyday, I just much prefer listening to Jazz.     

Visitor13 wrote: If I have to choose, I choose classical, simply because it's 1000+ years worth of music

Valid point, but I think of the period of classical music as something that starts a couple of hundred years later.

Rocktopus wrote: Visitor13 wrote: If I have to choose, I choose classical, simply because it's 1000+ years worth of music Valid point, but I think of the period of classical music as something that starts a couple of hundred years later.